Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollutants in Teenagers Residing in Mexico City

Abstract

ISEE-825 Objective: To evaluate the association between long-term exposure to ozone (O3), particulate matter <10 μm in diameter (PM10), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and lung function growth in Mexico City teenagers. Materials and Methods: A cohort of 829 healthy middle schoolchildren residing in Mexico City, aged 12 to 15 years, was evaluated every 6 months, from January 2000 to June 2002. Spirometric tests, following American Thoracic Society (ATS) standards, and a risk factor questionnaire were applied at each evaluation. The associations between lung function and exposure to air pollutants (O3, PM10, and NO2) measured in the 6 months before the spirometry, adjusting by short-term air pollutant exposure, were evaluated using general linear mixed models. Results: Significant deficits in lung function growth rate were associated with exposure to O3, PM10, and NO2 in 1-pollutant models. Each 10 ppb increase in 8-hour mean ozone levels averaged over the last 6 months was associated with 6-months deficits in FEV1of 19 (95% CI: −30 to −8) mL in girls and 25 (95% CI: −37 to −13) mL in boys. For PM10, every 10 g/m3 increase in 24-hour average levels over the last 6 months produced 6-months deficits: in FEV1 of 28 (95% CI: −34 to −23) mL in girls and 39 (95% CI: −46 to −33) mL in boys. For NO2, every 10 ppb change in 24-h average levels over the last 6 months was associated with 6-months in FEV1 of 44 (95% CI: −56 to −31) mL in girls and 64 (95% CI: −79 to −48) mL in boys. Conclusions: Chronic exposure of ozone, PM10, and NO2 were associated with a deficit in lung function growth among these healthy adolescents residing in Mexico City.